Social Media Slang: A Complete Guide to Online Language
How we communicate online continues to change dramatically, which can be quite challenging for social media managers. Social media slang is a fast-moving, ever-evolving language of the internet that’s funny, punchy, and sometimes downright confusing. If you’ve ever stared at a comment wondering, “What does that even mean?” you’re not alone.
You might be thinking, “Do I really need to know what ‘rizz’ means to sell my product?” And the answer, my friends, is: maybe. Not necessarily to use every piece of slang in your captions, but certainly to understand it. Misunderstanding can lead to cringe-worthy content, missed opportunities, or even accidental offense. And that’s a social media manager’s nightmare.
At Metricool, we’re all about empowering you to connect with your audience effectively. And sometimes, that means speaking their language, or at least understanding the nuances of how they communicate. So, get ready to improve your TikTok content strategy with the latest lingo and Instagram slang that you can use across different platforms, ensuring you’re always on point.
The Rise of Social Media Slang
Slang isn’t new. Every generation has its code words, but social media has taken things to a whole new level.
Platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat act as slang incubators. A single viral video or tweet can create a new term overnight. Thanks to real-time sharing and endless remixing, slang is born, spread, and sometimes dies within a matter of weeks.
Benefits of Understanding Social Media Slang
Wondering why you should care about what “slaps” or “hits different” means? Here’s why knowing social media slang is useful:
- Audience Connection: It makes your content more relatable. When you understand the language your audience uses, you can craft messages that truly resonate. It’s not about being “hip” for the sake of it, but about building genuine connections.
- Trend Spotting: Slang often emerges from and is linked to trending content, challenges, and cultural moments. Understanding the lingo helps you identify and potentially leverage these trends for your brand.
- Authenticity: Gen Z and younger audiences can spot inauthenticity from a mile away. Forcing slang into your copy when it doesn’t fit your brand voice will backfire. But understanding it allows you to engage genuinely when the opportunity arises.
- Community Engagement: Whether it’s in comments, DMs, or user-generated content, your audience will be using slang. Knowing what they mean allows you to respond appropriately, foster discussions, and build stronger communities.
- Effective Monitoring: When you’re monitoring brand mentions or relevant conversations, understanding slang ensures you don’t miss crucial insights or sentiment, even if expressed informally.
- Avoiding Missteps: Using slang incorrectly or using outdated slang can instantly mark your brand as out of touch. Worse, some slang can have multiple meanings or evolve to become offensive. Knowing the current usage is crucial.
It’s not about becoming a walking slang dictionary, but about cultivating a deeper understanding of digital culture. It’s about being observant, adaptable, and respectful of how different communities communicate.
The Big One: What Does POV Mean on Social Media?
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram Reels, you’ve undoubtedly seen “POV” in captions or on-screen text. So, what does POV mean on social media?
POV stands for “Point of View.”
On social media, especially short-form video platforms, “POV” is used to frame content from a specific perspective, putting the viewer directly into a scenario or situation. It’s a storytelling technique designed to create empathy, relatability, or humor.
How it works: A creator will typically start a video or caption with “POV:” followed by a description of the scenario. The video then shows what it would be like to experience that situation from the viewer’s perspective.
Examples:
- POV: You’re trying to explain social media analytics to your boss. (Video shows someone looking stressed, surrounded by complex charts).
- POV: You just hit your content calendar goals for the month. (Video shows someone doing a happy dance, feeling accomplished).
- POV: That moment you realize you forgot to add a CTA. (Video shows a comedic look of horror)
Why it’s important for social media managers:
- Relatability: POV content inherently creates a connection by inviting the audience to imagine themselves in the situation. This can be powerful for showcasing product benefits, addressing pain points, or simply creating relatable brand moments.
- Creative Storytelling: It’s a versatile format for demonstrating how your product or service fits into a user’s life, or for sharing a “day in the life” of your brand.
- Trendjacking: POV is a consistent trend. By understanding it, you can create timely and relevant content that taps into a popular format.
Popular Social Media Slang Terms and Their Meanings
Let’s break it down by category so you can decode comments like a pro.
Acronyms You Should Know
- LOL – Laugh Out Loud
- BRB – Be Right Back
- DM (Direct Message): A private message between users. Why it matters: Key for customer service, influencer outreach, and community building.
- PM (Private Message): Same as DM.
- TLDR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
- FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out
- TBT – Throwback Thursday
- UGC (User-Generated Content): Content created by your audience featuring your brand. Why it matters: Authentic, trustworthy, and cost-effective marketing.
- AMA (Ask Me Anything): A Q&A session where a creator invites questions from their audience. Why it matters: Great for building community and providing value.
- TFW (That Feeling When): Used to describe a relatable emotional reaction to a scenario, often accompanied by a meme or GIF.
- OOTD (Outfit Of The Day): A common fashion-related hashtag and content format.
Terms from TikTok Culture
- POV – Point of View (used in storytelling videos)
- Slay – Doing something exceptionally well
- Main Character Energy/Syndrome – Used when someone acts like they’re the star of every situation or believes the world revolves around them.
- FYP (For You Page – TikTok): This is the personalized feed on TikTok that shows users content the algorithm thinks they’ll love. For creators, getting on the FYP is the holy grail. Why it matters: It’s the primary goal for organic reach on TikTok.
- GRWM (Get Ready With Me): A popular video format where creators film themselves getting ready while chatting about their day.
Twitter/“X” Terminology
- Ratioed – When replies outnumber likes = usually a bad take
- Subtweet – Indirectly calling someone out
- Thread – A series of connected tweets
Instagram-Specific Lingo
- IG – Instagram
- Bio: The short description on your profile. Why it matters: Your brand’s elevator pitch.
- Link in Bio: A common instruction in captions for Instagram/TikTok users to find a clickable link (or Metricool SmartLinks) in the profile bio.
- Aesthetic – A curated vibe or visual theme
For the perfect Instagram hashtags to go with your fire, slang-filled captions, click the button below:
Gen Z & Internet Culture Words
- Bussin’: Something that is exceptionally good, often used for food. “This burger is bussin’!”
- Cap / No Cap: “Cap” means to lie or exaggerate. “No cap” means “no lie,” “for real,” or “I’m being honest.” Why it matters: Shows authenticity if used appropriately.
- Sus – Suspicious or shady
- Bet – Agreement or affirmation (“Bet, I’ll do it.”)
- Lit – Amazing or fun
- Yeet – To throw, or an expression of excitement
- Stan – Superfan (origin: Eminem’s “Stan”)
- Drip: Refers to a cool, stylish outfit or general aesthetic.
- Slay: To do something exceptionally well or look amazing. “Your latest campaign slayed!” Flex: To show off or boast, often about achievements or possessions.
- Rizz: Short for “charisma.” The ability to charm or flirt effectively. “That caption has serious rizz.”
- Mid: Average, mediocre, or unimpressive. “That viral trend is kinda mid now.”
- Tea / Spill the Tea: Gossip or interesting information. “Spill the tea on your latest campaign results!”
Memes & Viral Phrases
- It’s giving… – Used to describe a vibe or look (“It’s giving 2000s icon.”)
- Girl math – Humorously justifying impractical spending
- IYKYK – If You Know, You Know (an inside joke)
- FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): The anxiety that you might miss out on something exciting. Why it matters: Can be used to create urgency in marketing.
- JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out): The opposite of FOMO, finding joy in disconnecting or not participating.
- Rent-Free: When something or someone occupies your thoughts without effort. “That viral ad lives rent-free in my head.”
- Vibe Check: A casual way to ask someone’s mood or general energy. Can also refer to a post that gives off a certain mood.
Slang by Emotion or Context
Positive Vibes
- GOAT (Greatest Of All Time): Used to praise someone or something as the absolute best. “The Metricool dashboard is the GOAT!”
- W – Win or Winner
- L – Loss/Loser
- Fire – Amazing, excellent
Humor & Irony
- Dead: Used to express extreme amusement or shock. “That meme is so funny, I’m dead.”
- Screaming – Same as above
- Lowkey/Highkey – Kind of / Definitely (e.g., “Lowkey loving this”)
Shading & Critique
- Shady – Indirectly mean or sneaky
- Tea – Gossip or drama
- Drag – Roast or criticize publicly
- Clowning – Acting foolish or being made fun of
- Salty: To be bitter or upset.
- Extra: Over-the-top, dramatic, or excessive.
Business and Marketing Relevance
Brands aren’t just hopping on trends, they’re talking in them.
Understanding slang helps brands:
- Relate to younger audiences
- Sound authentic (when used correctly!)
- Join cultural conversations without being cringey
Want your post to go viral? Sprinkle in the right phrase and it just might.
Slang Pitfalls to Avoid
Using slang is fun, but here’s where people go wrong:
- Using it wrong: Calling something “fire” that’s… well, not.
- Sounding out of touch: Like your dad trying to say “on fleek.”
- Cultural insensitivity: Some slang comes from marginalized communities… Respect the roots.
When in doubt, observe before you speak.
Future of Social Media Slang
With AI, memes, and niche communities growing, slang is evolving faster than ever.
Expect:
- AI-generated memes and phrases
- Hyper-niche slang from micro-communities (like “BookTok” or “SkinTok”)
- New words that blur language boundaries (slang that combines English + Spanish, for example)
The Art of Integration: How Social Media Managers Can Use Slang Effectively
Okay, you’ve got the glossary. Now, how do you wield this linguistic power responsibly and effectively without looking like your brand is trying too hard to be “cool”?
- Know Your Audience (Again!): This is paramount. If your primary audience is C-suite executives, dropping Gen Z slang might not be the move. If it’s college students or young professionals, a little slang can go a long way. Use Metricool’s audience insights to truly understand who you’re speaking to.
- Maintain Brand Voice: Does using slang align with your brand’s established personality? If your brand is playful, irreverent, or community-focused, a judicious sprinkle of slang can enhance it. If your brand is highly formal or professional, it’s best to stick to more traditional language. Authenticity over everything.
- Choose Wisely & Contextually: Don’t just throw slang into every post. Use it where it feels natural and adds value.
- In comments/replies: Responding to a user’s “slay” with a “you too, bestie!” can build rapport.
- In trends: If a “POV” trend is relevant to your product, leverage it!
- In specific campaigns: A campaign targeting a younger demographic might intentionally integrate relevant slang.
- Humor: Slang can be great for relatable, humorous content.
- Stay Updated (But Don’t Obsess): Slang evolves rapidly. What’s “fire” today might be “mid” tomorrow. Follow relevant influencers, observe how your audience communicates, and stay tuned to industry news. However, don’t chase every single new term. Focus on those that have staying power or direct relevance.
- Listen More Than You Speak: Before incorporating slang, observe how your audience uses it. Pay attention to the nuances, the tone, and the common contexts. This helps you avoid misinterpretations or using a term incorrectly. Social listening tools are your best friend here.
- Test and Learn: Like any content strategy, integrating slang should be an iterative process. Try a few posts with subtle slang, then use Metricool’s analytics to see how they perform. Did engagement increase? Did it resonate with your target demographic?
- When in Doubt, Leave it Out: If you’re unsure about a term’s meaning, connotation, or whether it fits your brand, it’s always safer to err on the side of caution. A clear, concise message is always better than a misguided attempt at “sounding cool.”
- Repurpose Smartly: A TikTok using “POV” can be repurposed for Instagram Reels, but consider if the full context translates if viewed outside of TikTok.
The Ever-Changing Lexicon: Keeping Up with TikTok and Instagram Slang
The sheer volume and rapid turnover of TikTok slang and Instagram slang can be daunting. How do social media managers possibly keep up?
- Spend Time on the Platforms: This is the most direct way. Actively scroll your For You Page (FYP), watch Reels, read comments, and pay attention to what creators are saying and how they’re saying it.
- Follow Trend Accounts: Many creators and media outlets dedicate themselves to explaining internet trends and slang. Follow them!
- Engage with Younger Colleagues/Friends: If you have Gen Z colleagues or friends, pick their brains! They are often native speakers of this digital dialect.
- Use AI: AI tools can help you quickly look up terms and get a sense of their common usage.
- Read Industry Blogs: Stay tuned to social media marketing blogs and news outlets (like Metricool’s, of course!) that cover trends and digital culture.
- Don’t Overthink It: The goal isn’t to be a slang expert, but to be an effective communicator. Focus on understanding the general flow and adapting your strategy as needed.
Wrapping Up: Speak Their Language, Build Your Brand
Navigating the vibrant, sometimes bewildering, world of social media slang is an essential skill for modern social media managers. It’s about more than just buzzwords; it’s about understanding the culture, the humor, and the unspoken rules of digital communication.
By understanding familiarizing yourself with common social media slang, and knowing how to integrate these elements authentically, you can build deeper connections with your audience, amplify your brand’s voice, and ensure your content truly “slays.”
So, keep scrolling, keep learning, and keep creating content that hits different. And remember, Metricool is always here to help you analyze, optimize, and dominate your social media game, no cap.
FAQs
What does “slay” mean on social media?
It means someone did something exceptionally well, like rocking an outfit or nailing a performance.
Is social media slang only for Gen Z?
Not at all. While Gen Z leads the charge, slang is for anyone who’s online and engaged.
Can brands use social media slang?
Yes, but sparingly and authentically. Forced slang can backfire and feel out of touch.
How often does slang change online?
Frequently, sometimes weekly. What’s trending today might be outdated tomorrow.
What’s the best way to learn new slang?
Follow meme accounts, TikTok creators, and stay curious. The internet is the best teacher.
